Paeonia plant named &#39;RTPIV791-38&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Paeonia  cultivar named ‘RTPIV790-01’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive pink, fully double, mildly fragrant flowers. Plants are vigorous, symmetrical with strong stems holding flowers above foliage, and with attractive foliage through the Fall. The new cultivar is a  Paeonia , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Paeonia hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘RTPIV791-38’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a breeder program conducted by the inventor, Thierry Rat. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘RTPIV791-38’, was discovered as part of a planned breeding program. The inventors, Thierry Rat crossed the seed parent Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’, unpatented with the pollen parent, Paeonia hybrid ‘Golden Era’, unpatented during May of 2006. The resulting new was discovered and selected in a research nursery in Castel Sarrasin France during May of 2011.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘RTPIV791-38’ by tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in L'Assomption, Quebec, during September of 2011. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Several generations have been reproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘RTPIV791-38’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘RTPIV791-38’ as a new and distinct Paeonia cultivar:

1. Strong sterns which hold the flowers uniquely erect and above the foliage.

2. Unique clear pink, fragrant double flower.

3. Symmetrical, bushy plant shape.

4. Attractive foliage through Fall.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘RTPIV791-38’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the seed parent variety Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

1. ‘Miss America’ has a white, semi-double flowers, the new variety has a pink, double flower.

2. The new variety has stronger stems.

3. Foliage of the new variety is more finely cut.

‘RTPIV791-38’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the pollen parent variety Paeonia hybrid ‘Golden Era’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

1. ‘Golden Era has a yellow, single to semi-double flower, the new variety has a pink, double flower.

2. The new variety is a more herbaceous plant.

3. The new variety is more Winter hardy.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘RTPIV791-38’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Bartzella’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ are similar to plants of ‘Bartzella’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Paeonias. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, produce pink flowers, whereas flower of ‘Bartzella’ are yellow with a red center.

‘RTPIV791-38’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Morning Lilac’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ are similar to plants of ‘Morning Lilac’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Paeonias. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, produce fully double, pink flowers, whereas flower of ‘Morning Lilac’ are darker in color, with significantly less petals. Additionally, plants of the new variety have more secondary flower buds then ‘Morning Lilac’ plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘RTPIV791-38’ grown outdoors in Moissac, France. The plant is approximately 6 months old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘RTPIV791-38’ plants grown outdoors in Moissac, France. Plants are approximately 1 year old, in a 2 gallon nursery container. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Paeonia hybrid ‘RTPIV791-38’ -   Propagation: Typically by tissue culture.     -   -   Root description.—Freely branching storage root with             numerous feeder roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Compact and vigorous perennial herbaceous             shrub. Symmetrical and rounded growth habit.         -   Height.—Approximately 60 to 70 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 115 cm.         -   Stems.—         -   Length.—Approximately 60 to 70 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 1.3 cm measured between first and second             leaf.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Internode length.—Average 5.0 to 9.5 cm, highly variable.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 6 to 8 months. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Alternate, bipinnately compound, with an overall ovate             shape, which is wider than long. Average leaf 24 cm long and             29 cm wide.         -   Leaflets.—Shape: Broadly elliptic Quantity and Arrangement:             3 primary leaflet further divided into secondary leaflets of             variable number and form All leaflets sessile. Average             Length: Central leaflet average 12 cm. Average Width:             Central leaflet average 11 cm.         -   Individual leaflet blades.—Shape of blade: Broad elliptic,             variably incised Apex: Broadly acuminate, often with             emargination Base: Attenuate Margin: Deeply incised Texture             of top surface: Glabrous Texture of bottom surface: Glabrous             Appearance of top surface: Matte. Appearance of bottom             surface: Matte. Aspect: Flat to very minutely reflexed             downward. Color: Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A             Under side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 191A Venation: Type:             Pinnate Venation color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green             145A Venation color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A             Petiole: Length: Average 6.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D Texture: Glabrous, moderately             glossy. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Flowers open approximately 60 days             after bud break in early Spring. Continuous repeat flowering             from Spring through Fall.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Single, terminal or axillar             flowers, fully double, irregularly rounded with tight petal             whorl.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately 8 to 12 days on the             plant.         -   Quantity of flowers.—3-5 per stem.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: Approximately 15 to 16 cm. Depth:             Approximately 7 to 8 cm. (Flower height).         -   Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 20 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A             Strength: Strong Texture: Glabrous.         -   Petals.—Petal arrangement: Tight, irregular whorl of 50 to             60 petals. Size: Length: Approximately 7 cm. Width:             Approximately 6 cm. Shape: Obovate Margin: Entire to sinuate             Apex: Typically emarginate Base: Obtuse Texture: Smooth,             glabrous all surfaces. Aspect: Slightly ruffled, undulate.         -   Color.—Petals: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS             Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base Red 46A. Lower surface: Near             RHS Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base Red 46A. Fully opened:             Upper surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base Red             46A. Lower surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base             Red 46A.         -   Bud.—Shape: Globose Length: Approximately 4.5 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 4.0 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A             Sepals: Quantity: 5; 2 smaller and 3 larger. Length:             Approximately 3.0 cm Width: Approximately 3.0 cm Shape:             Obcordate to obovate Aspect: Cupped Apex: Mucronate Margin:             Entire Color: Interior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144A.             Streaked Red-Purple 62A and Greyed-Orange 177A. Exterior             Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Streaked Red-Purple 62A and             Greyed-Orange 177A. Texture: Glabrous. Fragrance: Mild. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: Approximately 50 Filament length:             Approximately 1.5 cm Filament color: Near RHS Red-Purple             60B.         -   Anthers.—Length: 2.0 cm Shape: Elongated avoid. Color: Near             RHS Yellow 6D Pollen: Not observed to produce pollen.         -   Pistil.—Number: Average 7, variable. Length: Approximately             2.3 to 2.7 cm Stigma: Shape: Claw shaped, acutely convex             Color: Near RHS Red 48D Ovary color: Near RHS Green 142D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease and pest resistance.—Not observed to be susceptible             nor resistant to normal diseases and pests of Paeonia             hybrid.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Typically USDA Zones 3 to 9.         -   Fruit/seed production.—Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paeonia plant named ‘RTPIV790-01’ as herein illustrated and described. 